Pizza lovers following a low-carb diet know there are ways to make low-carb pizzas with cauliflower crust or eggplant slices, but what about snacks? Just because you eat low-carb doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy delicious snacks all day long.
A low-carb Caprese salad is an obvious choice because it combines classic pizza flavors and makes a great snack. But beyond the classic Caprese, we want to explore what other snacks can be appropriate for a low-carb lifestyle.
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Well, we asked ourselves this question and came up with seven amazing ways to get pizza flavors without the carbs. We have rounded up our favorite low-carb homemade pizza snacks.
What is Low Carb?
Many people follow a low-carb diet. Some do it to lose weight and follow the low-carb or keto diet. Others do it because they are gluten-free, and low-carb makes it easier.
Eating a low-carb diet means cutting out pasta, white bread, flour, bread, and a lot of other tasty goodies. Luckily it doesn’t have to mean giving up pizza and pizza snacks entirely. Thank heavens.
Try our favorite low-carb homemade pizza snacks so you can always fulfill your pizza cravings.
7 Easy Low-Carb Homemade Pizza Snacks
Mozzarella Pizza Chips
Mozzarella pizza chips are a classic low-carb snack. You can make them thick and chewy or keep them thin and crispy. We like ours with pepperoni slices, but you can top them with your favorite veggies or seafood or just add more cheese because you can never have too much of a good thing.
All you need to make these simple snacks is a muffin tin, non-stick spray, a cheese grater, and mozzarella cheese. Spray the nonstick spray in the muffin tin and add a layer of grated mozzarella. Add any toppings and bake at 375ºF for ten minutes. Let cool and remove.
If you like a crispier pizza chip, turn the oven on broil, and bake an extra five minutes. Sprinkle with Italian seasonings, and you have yourself a delicious homemade pizza snack.
Pepperoni Pizza Bites
Pepperoni pizza bites are like little mini pepperoni pizzas. They have lots of flavor and few carbs. All you need is sandwich-style pepperoni (that means it’s 2 inches), a muffin tin, mozzarella balls, and toppings. First, take the large pepperoni slices and cut four cuts toward the middle. Make sure not to cut past the middle.
Imagine there is an X on the slice, and cut each line about an inch. Place the pepperoni in the muffin tin and bake for five minutes at 400º F. Then take them out using a paper towel to soak up the grease.
Now the cups are ready, and you can set them in the freezer or refrigerator for when you are ready to assemble.
Turn these cups into a pepperoni pizza bite by adding a basil leaf, then a mozzarella ball, then top with an olive. Bake again for another five minutes or until the cheese has melted.
Cheese Filled Meatballs
If you love meatball pizza, you will love this low-carb version. These meatballs will be your new favorite of all the low carb homemade pizza snacks because they are filling and really satisfy a pizza craving.
To make cheese-filled meatballs, you will need ground beef, mozzarella cheese sticks, an egg, and almond flour. If you want to make it even fewer carbs switch out the almond flour for ground pork rinds or chicharrones. They will do the same job as the flour and work to bind everything together.
Place the ground beef in a bowl and add the egg, flour, or ground chicharrones and mix them together. Wash your hands and get in there, so it’s all mixed. Then, cut the cheese stick into small pieces. Form meatballs and place the piece of cheese inside.
Keep the cheese pieces small. Place on a lined baking sheet and bake at 400ºF for fifteen to twenty minutes. Check frequently and use tongs to turn them over halfway through baking. Serve alone or with some dipping sauce.
Zucchini Roll Ups
There are two ways to use zucchini for low carb pizza snacks. The easiest is to cut zucchini coins and use them as a mini pizza base. Or you can grill your zucchini slices and make them more elegant zucchini roll-ups.
Start by slicing your zucchini into a thin strip lengthwise. You can use a mandoline to get even slices or just a good knife. (Always be careful!) Then roast them on the stove with a small amount of oil on medium flipping them frequently.
Once the zucchini slices are soft, remove them from the grill and use paper towels to remove excess grease. When they are cool, lay a slice of prosciutto on top of the zucchini slice and a mini mozzarella ball in the center.
Roll up and use a toothpick to hold it together. Add a pimiento-filled green olive for one of the prettiest little low-carb homemade pizza snacks.
Toothpick Pizza
We love appetizers: hors d’oeuvres, canapes, bruschetta, and anything on a toothpick. And if you are looking for a low-carb way to enjoy pizza flavor, try making a pizza on a toothpick.
You can use cherry tomatoes, mini mozzarella balls, and basil leaves for a delightful dough-less Neapolitan pie. Or mix other favorite pizza flavors and stab them with a toothpick for a great snack and a fun way to eat low-carb and look cool.
Pizza Stuffed Mushrooms
Stuffed mushrooms are easier to make than you may think. They make a great snack or appetizer. The key is finding good, quality mushrooms. We like to use white button mushrooms, but crimini mushrooms are good, too.
Mushrooms often have a bit of dirt on them even when you get them from the store, but it’s really important not to wash them underwater. Instead, take a wet paper towel and wipe the mushroom. Mushrooms have a lot of moisture, so washing them under water just adds more, and you will have soggy stuffed mushrooms.
Once you have wiped the mushrooms and removed the stems, place a bit of either marinara sauce or pesto where the stem was. Then, add a mini mozzarella ball and your choice of either a pepperoni slice, sausage, or ham. Then bake at 375ºF for fifteen minutes. That’s it. Now you have a tasty low-carb homemade pizza snack for you and your friends.
Caponata
Caponata is like a little mini salad. This Sicilian dish is made with all kinds of flavorful goodies, including olives. While I’m not a huge fan of them, my wife loves them, and she adores a good Sicilian caponata. You can buy premade caponata, or you can make your own.
It is a mix of eggplant, olives, capers, tomatoes, garlic, onions, olive oil, and parsley. Some Sicilians add anchovies or anchovy paste for a rich, umami flavor that complements the salty components. And don’t forget to read our case for anchovies on homemade pizza.
Traditionally, caponata is eaten on crusty white bread, but if you are low-carb, choose almond flour crackers, tomato slices, or fill a stuffed mushroom with this tangy Italian relish for a healthy low-carb pizza snack.
And if that hasn’t convinced you, in Sicily, caponata is considered a potent elixir that is often referred to as Sicilian viagra. Please don’t just take it from us. Try some caponata for a low-carb homemade pizza snack that may end up being just what the doctor ordered.
Have you tried any of our favorite low-carb homemade pizza snacks? What is your favorite?
